Translations:Checksums als middel om de integriteit van bestanden te bewaken/1/en

Digital files are vulnerable, not just because of rapidly evolving technology but also because all digital media is unreliable for long-term storage if you don't have good back-up and control procedures in place. Without the necessary precautions, digital information can be lost or changed unintentionally even in the short term. This phenomenon, known as 'bit rot', is often caused by a wear and tear or a change in the carrier's chemical composition. That's why it's essential to always have an identical back-up copy. Errors when copying files can also result in data loss, however, for example when making a back-up.